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1999-07-29 - When a Child Dies
Mark 10:13-14 And they were bringing children to Him so
that He might touch them; and the disciples rebuked them.
14 But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to
them, "Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom
of God belongs to such as these. (NAS)
The question has been raised about young children and infants who die. Do
they go to Heaven? The question is one that hangs over the hearts of parents
everywhere. In the last three years, I have known two couples that have suffered
this trial. Both have weathered the storm, and neither will be the same in
this life. Both have found peace and rest in the will of the Lord.
The Bible is silent on many subjects. There is no commentary on the
potential for life on other worlds. It may not matter if Einstein is correct.
The Word is almost equally silent on the subject of the eternal destiny of
children who pass from this life. Just as the Theory of Relativity may preclude
the need for comments on extraterrestrial life, the character of God gives
us insight into the heart of God toward children.
Children have no problem with the concept of a God. All of this had to come
from somewhere. God answers the question very nicely. The children flocked
to Jesus. When the disciples tried to keep the children from Him,
He was indignant. This is a very strong term. "How could
you even think such a thing would be right!?" is the feeling evoked
by the word.
Matt 18:1-6 At that time the disciples came to Jesus,
saying, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
2 And He called a child to Himself and set him before them,
3 and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted
and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.
4 "Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the
greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 "And whoever receives
one such child in My name receives Me; 6 but whoever causes
one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it is better for him
that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be drowned in
the depth of the sea. (NAS)
Jesus' protective heart toward children is evident here. I have read accounts
of a few people who have experienced drowning and lived to tell the tale.
Their stories are frightening. There are several places where the Master
used children as examples of the faith we must have to enter His
eternal kingdom. He blessed the children who where brought to Him. When Jesus
raised Jairus' daughter He said, "Talitha kum!", or "Little girl, I say to
you, arise!". The phrase "little girl" was a term of endearment. Jesus
reminded her stunned, grateful parents that she should have something to
eat. Attention to details with children seems to have been important.
The patience that Jesus showed with Nicodemus in John chapter 3 is well known.
This learned Doctor of the Law, a leader of Israel, was astounded and confused
at Jesus' answers. In verse 10, Jesus seems to lightly rebuke His guest.
Nicodemus' questions were honest, seeking questions. The Lord honored those
questions with more information than Nicodemus could probably digest completely
in one sitting. If Jesus can be that patient with someone who should have
known the answers to the questions He asked, His heart toward children who
can only begin to understand right and wrong would be very open as well.
There is nothing that speaks directly to the question of the salvation of
infants or young children. The question may be one that the Lord never thought
needed to be asked in the first place. It should be as obvious to us
as Nicodemus' questions should have been to him. In my humble opinion,
there is a day when we are confronted with our need for a Savior. There
is a day when we can look around us and know that there is more
to this world than a random mechanism could build. On that day,
the rules change for us. In mercy and grace, Christ calls to this world to
come to Him. We who answer the call may find the children already sitting
in His lap.
Lord Jesus - This is a delicate topic for many. Comfort
those who have suffered this loss with the knowledge that their children
wait for them with You, safe and whole. Amen.
Peace,
Mike
jmhoskins@gmail.com
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